Big Idea: Patriotism

Essential Question: How patriotic is America today?

Challenge: To improve patriotism in our community.

Guiding Questions:
  1. Why is patriotism important?
  2. What has caused a decline in patriotism?
  3. What causes an increase of patriotism in our country?

Guiding Activities:
  1. Take a survey of how many people feel it is necessary to say the Pledge of Allegiance every morning.
  2. Take a poll of how patriotic people think they are.
  3. Have an interview with a war veteran and see what he thinks is the true meaning of patriotism.
  4. Search online to see what patriotism really means

Guiding Resources:
American Legion
Polls involving our peers
Letter to Barack Obama - Presidents opinion

*Poll results*
Important to say Pledge: 47% yes ; 16% no ; 25% at time, 12% no but i do it anyway
Are you patriotic - 32 % yes ; 9 % no, 44% at times; 6% maybe, 9 % not as much as others

Some links to Internet Sources:
http://www.usa-patriotism.com/
http://www.sustainourfuture.org/Patriotism/
http://media.www.unogateway.com/media/storage/paper968/news/2008/11/04/Opinion/Patriotism.In.America-3522885.shtml
http://www.museumofpatriotism.org/
Obama speech on patriotism -
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2008/06/30/obamas_patriotism_speech.html

Solution/Action:
After extensive research on the level of patriotism in America today, we have come to the conclusion that it is necessary to educate citizens on the importance of patriotism. Host a parade in our community that stresses the importance of patriotism for your country. At the parade, commemorate the sacrifices made by our veterans in wars such as Iraq, the Korean War, Vietnam, and WWII. People need to appreciate our veterans more. Request pamphlets from the U.S. Government describing the things America provides for its people. It may also be a goal to stress national patriotic holidays in school such as flag day on June 14.


Publishing:
iWeb